Enter any address in Sullivan County, New York to see its FEMA flood zone
Flash flooding events have been the most frequent type of flooding in Sullivan County over the last 30 years, with 67 recorded instances. These events, often driven by heavy rainfall and melting snow, have led to widespread flooding on rivers and streams. For example, in December 2023, rainfall combined with snowmelt caused significant flash and river flooding. Similarly, October 2021 saw multiple days of heavy rainfall resulting in both flash flooding and river flooding on major waterways and their tributaries.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) data indicates that properties in Zone A have experienced the highest number of claims, with an average payout of $18,478 and an average water depth of 12.7 feet. Properties in Zone X_UNSHADED also saw substantial payouts, averaging $24,914 with an average water depth of 12.1 feet. Homeowners in or near flood-prone areas, particularly those in Zone A or Zone X_UNSHADED, should pay close attention to flood risk.
Summary generated from NOAA storm narratives and NFIP claim data for this county. Not predictive.
49 NOAA storm reports from this county describe what happened, in the words of the meteorologists who were there.
Sullivan County, New York has recorded 86 flood-related events since 1996 according to NOAA's Storm Events Database, including 67 flash floods and 19 river or area floods. The county has received 35 federal disaster declarations, 4 of which involved flooding or coastal storms. Enter any address above to check its FEMA flood zone designation.
FEMA Disaster Declarations (1965–2021)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries.
| Declaration | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Remnants Of Hurricane Ida | Hurricane | Sep 1, 2021 |
| Hurricane Henri | Hurricane | Aug 21, 2021 |
| Covid-19 | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Covid-19 Pandemic | Biological | Jan 20, 2020 |
| Severe Winter Storm And Snowstorm | Snowstorm | Mar 14, 2017 |
| Hurricane Sandy | Hurricane | Oct 27, 2012 |
| Remnants Of Tropical Storm Lee | Severe Storm | Sep 7, 2011 |
| Hurricane Irene | Hurricane | Aug 26, 2011 |
| Severe Winter Storm | Severe Storm | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Severe Storms And Flooding | Severe Storm | Jun 19, 2007 |
NOAA Storm Events Database (1996–2025)
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
| Type | Date | Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Flash Flood | Dec 18, 2023 | 20.00K |
| Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 1.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Oct 26, 2021 | 20.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 5.00K |
| Flash Flood | Sep 1, 2021 | 3.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 4, 2020 | 10.00K |
| Flash Flood | Jul 25, 2018 | 15.00K |
| Flood | Jan 12, 2018 | 0.00K |
| Flash Flood | Aug 3, 2018 | 10.00K |
Flash Flood — Dec 18, 2023
Low pressure moved north along the Atlantic Seaboard spreading steady and heavy rain into central New York during the overnight hours. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches were observed along with a considerable amount of melting snow into area rivers and streams. Widespread flash flooding and river flooding occurred during this event.
Flood — Oct 26, 2021
A strong low pressure system moved from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast and reformed as a powerful nor'easter while moving into New England. This provided the region with several hours of moderate to heavy rainfall. In addition to significant flash flooding around the area, widespread minor to moderate river flooding occurred on many of the larger, main stem rivers and their tributaries.
Flash Flood — Oct 26, 2021
Deep moisture from the Atlantic Ocean was fed into a warm frontal zone located over Central New York by low pressure near New York City. This led to areas of moderate to heavy rainfall totaling between 3 to 5 inches of rain with locally higher amounts. This rainfall led to widespread flash flooding across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region.
Flash Flood — Sep 1, 2021
A shield of moderate to heavy rainfall, associated with the remnants of tropical cyclone Ida, moved from the DelMarVa peninsula to New England. This rainfall on top of several weeks of abnormally wet weather led to areas of small stream and urban flash flooding in Central New York.
Flash Flood — Aug 4, 2020
Rain and embedded thunderstorms moved through south Central and Eastern New York on the 4th associated with Tropical Storm Isaias. Widespread rainfall affected the area with locally heavy downpours causing isolated flash flooding in Sullivan county. Rainfall estimates were in the 3 to 5 inch range during the event.
Source: NOAA National Weather Service Storm Events Database.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Individual Claims (2.25M records analyzed).
FEMA assigns flood zone designations to areas in Sullivan County, New York:
AE High Risk — 1% annual chance of flooding. Insurance required.
VE Very High Risk — Coastal flooding with wave action.
X (Shaded) Moderate Risk — 500-year floodplain.
X Low Risk — Outside major floodplains.
Properties in Sullivan County, New York that are in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (zones A and V) with federally backed mortgages are required to carry flood insurance.
Even outside high-risk zones, flood insurance is recommended. From 2014 to 2024, nearly one-third of NFIP claims came from outside the high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.
Visit FloodSmart.gov to find an agent and get a quote.